Union Pacific perishable train symbol PDNPP at Topaz, ID

Train GQSECB is just about two miles out of McCammon. It has engines 9240 and 9170 pulling 102 empty grain hoppers at 3,187 tons.

Train PDNPP is near Topaz on June 8, 1989. The train has engines 9122 and 9336 pulling 49 mechanical reefers at 5,091 tons. The train is about to pass under US Highway 30. The train is on a section of track where curves have the speed limit down to 35mph. This is one of my favorite areas for chasing trains. There is little traffic on the old US 30 and the curves between Blaser to near Topaz has even the fastest trains down to 45mph. Eastbound trains are also going up hill from McCammon at 4,752 feet to Bancroft at 5,423 feet. The steepest part of the grade is from east of Topaz to Blaser at about 0.8%. This may not sound like much, but most trains don't have much excess power to begin with. A second mainline was built from McCammon to Blaser in 1913 and 1914. Part of this second track was removed between McCammon and Topaz in 1962.

A few minutes and a short chase later, train PDNPP is near Lava Hot Springs. Disk 17